Our School Curriculum

At Newbridge Primary School, we are committed to ensuring our children develop a strong foundation in reading, writing and mathematics. We also believe in providing a broad and balanced curriculum in which children develop the skills they will need to be responsible and aspiring citizens later in life.

Overviews

The following documents outline the curriculum overview for each year group across the current term:

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2018/19 Overviews

The National Curriculum (Years 1 to 6)

The government revised the National Curriculum for Primary Schools in 2014 and as a school we have decided to develop an exciting and innovative model of teaching and learning which will engage children in learning whilst equipping them with the knowledge and skills which they will need to be responsible and aspiring members of the community and the future.

Parents and Carers may wish to have a look at this guidance document to support their understanding of the National Curriculum.

Alongside the teaching of the National Curriculum, we are basing our curriculum on an enquiry learning model. This will be known as 'The Newbridge Journey'.

The Newbridge Journey Curriculum

Enquiry-based learning is an approach in which the children have ownership of their learning. It starts with exploration and questioning and leads to investigation into a question, issue, problem or idea. It involves asking questions, gathering and analysing information and generating solutions, making decisions, justifying conclusions and taking action.

We will often launch each enquiry with a 'hook' day. A day which may take the children by surprise, but allows them to be full engaged in the learning process.

Enquiry-based learning provides opportunities for children to reflect on their learning. It also allows the opportunity to build on prior learning skills, knowledge and values and the ability to draw conclusions and make connections between new ideas.

The purpose at the end of the enquiry is to identify what the children have learnt and to relate their learning to real life situations. An example of activities related to this could be the publishing of findings through newsletters or posters, organising a public performance or causing change by the children's own learned and developed knowledge.

By integrating national curriculum subjects, children are able to make clear links between learning and therefore develop their understanding at a deeper level.

Writing

Throughout the school, children are given a range of opportunities to inspire them to write by taking into account cross-curricular links including the 'Newbridge Journey' experiences. Each year group focuses on the 'writing process' which allows children to re-visit their writing and improve it along the way. Children are encouraged to be creative writers and to recognise the features of high quality written work. Children are given the skills to become writers through talk for writing and by enjoying a range of different text-types alongside the teaching of progressive skills. As a school, we ensure children learn how to edit and improve their own work as well as supporting them to reflect and develop their writing.

SPAG

Throughout the school we teach regular, discrete, high quality lessons on spelling, punctuation and grammar. The backbone of this programme is Letters and Sounds followed by Support for Spelling. To support the development of skills required by the English 2014 Curriculum, learning in Foundation Stage and KS1 is enhanced through the use of the Phonics Bug scheme of work whilst KS2 benefits from the No Nonsense Spelling programme.

Reading

As a school, we work to ensure that every child is a successful and strategic reader. We have a structured and multifaceted approach to the teaching of reading. This includes the teaching of synthetic phonics through the Letters and Sounds programme as well as daily phonics/ SPAG lessons in KS2. All children have at least a weekly Guided Reading session with a teacher or teaching assistant to develop reading comprehension skills. Children also consolidate their learning through a carousel of daily reading activities. We also have several reading interventions in place such as 'Remarkable Readers.' We work to develop a love of reading through the sharing of books through 'Read Hands' and book reviews. We also encourage students to read across a variety of genres and to utilise both the school and local libraries.

Maths

In maths we deliver an engaging, creative and real life curriculum that follows the fundamentals set out in The White Rose- a scheme of work designed to deepen childrens' mathematical understanding through revisiting topics and applying their knowledge in reasoning and problem solving activities. Alongside side this, we have devised our own four operations policy which shows clear progression from KS1 to KS2.

In Foundation Stage and KS1, teachers plan through the exploration of maths, giving children the opportunity to learn outside of the classroom. In KS2 we build on the children's confidence to apply their knowledge and understanding of fundamentals. All children are challenged to reach their full potential and home learning is supported through Maths WithParents, whereby each family receive their own login allowing their child to complete activities that sit alongside what is currently being learnt in class.

Computing

We use a progressive skills-based curriculum developed through Somerset ELIM which is taught via discrete whole-class lessons using a range of mobile technology and our computing suite. Each year group is taught aspects of computer programming that are developed as they progress through the school, as well as how to use the technology in our lives and regular focused learning on all areas of online-safety. Wherever possible, we make links between the computing curriculum and other areas of the curriculum. Our 'Newbridge Journey' offers the children the opportunity to apply and extend the skills they have learnt.

Science

Science is taught in every year group throughout the school with a focus on practical skills and developing knowledge. We promote understanding of the world around us through the practical applications of science. This is achieved through inspiring teaching, awe and wonder moments and links with other subjects.

Geography

Geography is taught in all year groups. The school follows the National Curriculum objectives. Geography is embedded in cross-curricular topics.

History

History and enquiry skills are taught in every year group from Reception to Year 6. Topics are drawn from the National Curriculum and are embedded in our termly topics.

Music

Music is taught in every year. Foundation Stage and Year 1 are taught by class teachers using Music Express. Each Year 2 - 6 class is taught by a music specialist once a week in a dedicated music room. The content involves a variety of resources, developed over the years by the specialist. A wide variety of extracurricular music clubs are offered to all children, including drumming and music time in KS1 and choir, orchestra, blues band and recorders in KS2. Children in KS2 can learn a wide variety of instruments taught by specialist peripatetic teachers.

P.E.

In Foundation Stage and Year 1, P.E. is taught by class teachers. Years 2 - 6 are taught by class teachers and a specialist PPA teacher. Children participate in a wide range of activities including dance, gymnastics and various games (both indoors and outdoors) as well as following a unique, child-centered curriculum through Real P.E. schemes of work. Swimming lessons are offered during KS2.

R.E.

We follow the Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education in Bath and North East Somerset: Awareness, Mystery and Value 2011. You can find out more here.

PSHE

At Newbridge Primary School we regard PSHE as an important component of the whole curriculum. We believe that the promotion of health and wellbeing is central to the life of the school and its relationships with the surrounding community. We take very seriously the responsibility that schools have to provide a broad and balanced curriculum. The school is using and incorporating the SEAL programme to support PSHE. Where possible, the schemes of work objectives are closely related to the topic being covered or the literacy objective.